Author Notes
I came up with this recipe when my mom gave me a ‘substitute’ for smashed potatoes using cauliflower. I know there is really no substitute for potatoes – only other ingredients that you can make taste really good and maybe satisfy your potato craving. (when did Potatoes become do evil?...) I found the cauliflower to be tasty but it was too watery for me. I tried a couple of different ways to thicken it and the best way was by adding Cream Cheese. Any thing you would add to smashed potatoes you can add to these. This is so easy and a real crowd pleaser! Kids Love it! Enjoy! - Love you —Love you
Test Kitchen Notes
Love you’s cauliflower does not taste like potatoes, nor would you want it to -- it is absolutely delicious! I took her advice and hand mashed the cauliflower which gave it a nice consistency, this side of creamy. The bits of cauliflower in chive and bacon cream cheese topped with a crunchy panko-parmesan and bacon mixture hot from the oven is fantastic -- the sweetness of the cauliflower holds up against the crunchy and salty elements. I chose to stir bacon and chives in AND garnish with them for a one-two punch of goodness. Absolutely recommended for an Editors' Pick. - aargersi —The Editors
Ingredients
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1
Small Head of Cauliflower
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4 ounces
Cream Cheese
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1/2
Stick Butter
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1 teaspoon
Dill
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Salt & Pepper to taste
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1/2 cup
Panko Bread Crumbs
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1/2 cup
Finely Shredded Parmesan Cheese
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4
Slices Bacon crisped & crumbled (optional)
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2 tablespoons
chopped fresh chives (optional)
Directions
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Cut or break up the cauliflower and steam until fork tender – not mushy. About 25 minutes. Drain well and return to the pan
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a small baking dish and set aside
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Smash the steamed cauliflower to the desired consistency. You may use a food processor or hand blender if you prefer but I like to use a ricer or potato masher.
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Melt the Philadelphia Cream Cheese and butter together over medium heat until smooth. Stir in the dill. Salt and Pepper to your taste.
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Pour the melted Cream Cheese and butter over the smashed cauliflower and mix well. At this point you may add in the bacon and chives or leave it as a garnish if you prefer.
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Pour the mixture of cauliflower and sauce into the buttered baking dish
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Combine the bread crumbs and parmesan and spread evenly over the cauliflower mixture.
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Place in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the bread crumbs get golden brown. It may take more or less time depending on your oven.
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When the breadcrumbs are golden brown, remove and let sit for a couple of minutes. Garnish with the chives
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Serve with the bacon crumbles (if you didn’t add them in already) and the chives.
Note: if you really like bacon, put it inside and on top! Yummy!
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